Minnesota Session Laws - 2004, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 244-H.F.No. 532 
                  An act relating to highways; allowing two-way 
                  operation of snowmobiles on either side of highway 
                  right-of-way when authorized by commissioner of 
                  transportation; amending Minnesota Statutes 2002, 
                  section 84.87, subdivision 1. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 84.87, 
        subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
           Subdivision 1.  [OPERATION ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.] (a) No 
        person shall operate a snowmobile upon the roadway, shoulder, or 
        inside bank or slope of any trunk, county state-aid, or county 
        highway in this state and, in the case of a divided trunk or 
        county highway, on the right-of-way between the opposing lanes 
        of traffic, except as provided in sections 84.81 to 84.90.  No 
        person shall operate a snowmobile within the right-of-way of any 
        trunk, county state-aid, or county highway between the hours of 
        one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, 
        except on the right-hand side of such right-of-way and in the 
        same direction as the highway traffic on the nearest lane of the 
        roadway adjacent thereto.  No snowmobile shall be operated at 
        any time within the right-of-way of any interstate highway or 
        freeway within this state. 
           (b) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) to the 
        contrary, but under conditions prescribed by the commissioner of 
        transportation, the commissioner of transportation may allow 
        two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the trunk 
        highway right-of-way where the commissioner of transportation 
        determines that two-way operation will not endanger users of the 
        trunk highway or riders of the snowmobiles using the trail. 
           (b) (c) A snowmobile may make a direct crossing of a street 
        or highway at any hour of the day provided: 
           (1) the crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 
        degrees to the direction of the highway and at a place where no 
        obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and 
           (2) the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before 
        crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the highway; and 
           (3) the driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming 
        traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard; and 
           (4) in crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made 
        only at an intersection of such highway with another public 
        street or highway; and 
           (5) if the crossing is made between the hours of one-half 
        hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or in 
        conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and rear 
        lights are on; and 
           (6) a snowmobile may be operated upon a bridge, other than 
        a bridge that is part of the main traveled lanes of an 
        interstate highway, when required for the purpose of avoiding 
        obstructions to travel when no other method of avoidance is 
        possible; provided the snowmobile is operated in the extreme 
        right-hand lane, the entrance to the roadway is made within 100 
        feet of the bridge and the crossing is made without undue delay. 
           (c) (d) No snowmobile shall be operated upon a public 
        street or highway unless it is equipped with at least one 
        headlamp, one tail lamp, each of minimum candlepower as 
        prescribed by rules of the commissioner, reflector material of a 
        minimum area of 16 square inches mounted on each side forward of 
        the handle bars, and with brakes each of which shall conform to 
        standards prescribed by rule of the commissioner pursuant to the 
        authority vested in the commissioner by section 84.86, and each 
        of which shall be subject to approval of the commissioner of 
        public safety. 
           (d) (e) A snowmobile may be operated upon a public street 
        or highway other than as provided by clause (b) paragraph (c) in 
        an emergency during the period of time when and at locations 
        where snow upon the roadway renders travel by automobile 
        impractical. 
           (e) (f) All provisions of chapters 169 and 169A shall apply 
        to the operation of snowmobiles upon streets and highways, 
        except for those relating to required equipment, and except 
        those which by their nature have no application.  Section 169.09 
        applies to the operation of snowmobiles anywhere in the state or 
        on the ice of any boundary water of the state. 
           (f) (g) Any sled, trailer, or other device being towed by a 
        snowmobile must be equipped with reflective materials as 
        required by rule of the commissioner. 
           Presented to the governor May 18, 2004 
           Signed by the governor May 29, 2004, 9:00 a.m.